[Proteolytic balance in patients with cancer of the lung]

In 48 patients with cancer of the lung, activity of the lysosomal enzymes and concentration of their natural inhibitors in the blood serum and in the material from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has been estimated. It has been shown that in both investigated media the activity of proteases and the concentration of orosomucoid, haptoglobin and alpha 1-antitrypsin increases significantly in relation to the control group. The estimation of the proteolytic balance may be useful in the diagnosis of lung cancer and in the monitoring of the therapy applied.